In part one of our two part series on applying for an Australian work visa, David Hampshire looks at the different types available and focuses on temporary visas.
Australia is a nation of migrants, and only the Aboriginals represent the indigenous population: everyone else is an immigrant or descended from an immigrant. After the Second World War, Australia instituted the ‘populate or perish’ strategy, and accepted virtually anybody who applied, even providing assisted passages whereby migrants paid only a small sum (e.g. £10 in the UK) towards their fare to Australia.
However, immigration policy has altered dramatically since then and Australia’s entry qualifications for independent migrants (those without family in Australia) are now among the most stringent in the world. In the period 2007–08, the migrant allocation was only 152,800 from around 400,000 applications: 102,500 for skilled migrants, 50,000 for family migrants and 300 for special eligibility migrants (people who applied under the Resolution of Status category and have lived in Australia for 10 years).
Visas
With the exception of New Zealanders, anyone wishing to enter Australia must obtain a visa before arrival in the country. The type of visa issued depends on the reason for your trip.
There are four main categories of visa: visitor, temporary residence, migration and residence. There are fees for almost all visas, some of which are very high. The processing of visa applications in some categories can take a considerable time owing to the large number of applications to be processed, and approval can take anything from a few weeks to a number of years.
Information about visas, charges and forms can be obtained from offices of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) in Australia (www.immi.gov.au).
Applications
It’s important to obtain and complete the correct form, pay the right fee and satisfy other requirements such as being inside or outside Australia, as required. For most visas where an application is made overseas, you must not be in Australia when a decision is made and vice versa.
You must be careful to indicate the visa class under which you wish to be considered, as your application cannot be considered under any class other than the one noted on your application form. There are different application forms for different visa classes, a full list of which can be found on the DIAC website. Applications must be sent or delivered to the correct DIAC office for the visa class in which you’re applying, with all the relevant documentation and the fee.
Family members who apply at the same time can usually apply on the same form and pay just one fee (a child born after an application is made, but before it’s decided, is included in the parents’ application). In certain circumstances, a spouse or dependent child can be added to an application.
Working holiday visa
The working holiday visa is the largest visa category for temporary residents and accounts for around 45% of the total. Statistics show that those on working holiday visas inject around $2bn a year into the economy and many businesses in the tourist industry would be hard hit without them. There’s no cap on the number of working holiday visas issued.
Business visitors
Business visitors require either a temporary business entry (short stay) or a temporary business entry (long stay) visa, depending on the length of their proposed stay. The latter is classed as a temporary residence visa. The business in question must have been agreed by the Australian Government Office, although a business visa also allows you to visit Australia to look for business opportunities, assess conditions, act as a consultant, attend meetings and sign contracts. British applicants must complete form 456, Application for a Temporary Business Entry Visa (for a stay of up to three months).
Temporary Residents
Certain categories of skilled workers and professionals are permitted to enter Australia for a fixed period (such as the duration of a contract) of up to four years to take up employment, where it can be shown that a job cannot be filled by a resident. There are no set quotas for most temporary workers, who may be engaged in a wide range of occupations and include academic staff; domestic staff; entertainers; executive, professional and technical people; foreign government officials; media and film staff; medical practitioners; occupational trainees; religious personnel; retirees; sportsmen/women; and working holidaymakers. Students must also obtain a temporary residence visa.
Applications for temporary residence visas are granted provided that the prospective employer provides sponsorship and pays the fees; the required skills are shown to be unavailable in Australia; the job is full time; the pay and conditions aren’t less than the normal pay and conditions for such a job in Australia; the employment of a temporary resident isn’t a substitute for training Australian or permanent residents for such a position; the position isn’t an unskilled or semi-skilled job; and the applicant meets health and character requirements.
If you receive a temporary residence visa permitting you to work in Australia and your spouse is named on the application as your dependant, he or she is also permitted to work in Australia. A temporary residence visa isn’t automatically renewable and no change of job or sponsor is allowed after entry into Australia.
From Living and Working in Australia, David Hampshire, £14.95, Survival Books
